Attractions

Jeff Zarrinnam, hotel director of Hollywood Hotel, is one of Hollywood’s foremost experts on the destination, its history and one of the most active and visionary leaders in the area. Jeff was born in Hollywood at Kaiser Permanente Hospital more than 50 years ago and makes his home in Hollywood. Jeff also works in Hollywood, is the President and CEO of Hollywood-based Zarco Hotels Inc., which owns the Hollywood Hotel, of which he is the hotel director, and is on the steering committee or board of at least eight Hollywood civic organizations.

Jeff’s fascination with Hollywood is as deep as his roots in the community. The re-established Hollywood Hotel on Vermont Avenue was built in 196 and purchased by Zarco, Inc. in 1964. Jeff has amassed many original items from the hotel’s first location on Hollywood Boulevard. In addition to launching an aggressive renovation of Hollywood Hotel, Jeff is restoring the 31- suite Chateau Celeste, an upscale boutique hotel directly across the street from Hollywood Hotel, which was originally built in 1927. The various sections within this City Guide include “Jeff’s Best Secrets,” places that Jeff, as the ultimate Hollywood insider, recommends. Enjoy!

Located just a short mile from the heart of Hollywood, the Hollywood Hotel is near the storied intersection of Hollywood & Vine (and the Walk of Fame), TCL Chinese Theatre, and the Hollywood Sign, as well as Griffith Park and its newly-renovated Observatory. Also in the neighborhood is the nation’s largest municipal park, Griffith Park, which is full of trails and scenic overlooks, as well as a train museum, the L.A. Zoo, and the Museum of the American West.

Take a drive west of Griffith Park and you’ll come to the notorious Sunset Strip, featuring the Roxy, House of Blues, and Whisky a Go Go. From rock ‘n’ roll to folk, punk to the blues, virtually every top musical artist has hit the stage at one of these three musical venues.

A stone’s throw to the west is the city of Beverly Hills, home to countless luminaries and Rodeo Drive, one of the most exclusive shopping districts on the planet. At the Museum of TV & Radio, one can view screenings and gallery exhibitions commemorating the small screen and the golden age of radio.

An American cultural icon and famous Hollywood landmark, the Hollywood Sign is situated on Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills area of the Santa Monica Mountains and is frequented by thousands of tourists each year.

The Hollywood Hotel is close to famed Universal Studios Hollywood™ Theme Park, the world’s largest movie studio and theme park, and Universal City Walk®. Universal Studios Hollywood puts you so close you can hear the cameras rolling. Get an inside look at the sets and uncover the behind-the-scenes secrets of legendary films. And, for a big Hollywood finish, visit Universal CityWalk®, for L.A.’s hottest entertainment, dining and shopping.

Be sure to spend a day at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which has an extensive permanent collection of both American and European painting as well as Asian and Islamic artifacts. LACMA’s Japanese Pavilion houses works dating from 3,000 BC to the 20th century. Step across the street from LACMA and see the Craft & Folk Art Museum, which is dedicated to promoting traditional artisans and handmade art.

Next to the L. A. County Museum of Art complex is the Page Museum, featuring the world famous La Brea Tar Pits, which has hosted millions of visitors from around the world, each coming to take a giant step back in time with the many prehistoric creatures unearthed from their goo.

More than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street, honoring achievements in the entertainment industry and bearing the names of famous actors, musicians, directors, producers, musical and theatrical groups.

Located in Downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Convention Center is home to many annual, well-known events such as the LA Auto Show, Anime Expo, Electronic Entertainment Expo and, more recently, the Primetime Emmys.

Home to over 1,200 rare endangered animals, mammals, reptiles and birds, the world famous Los Angeles Zoo also houses over 800 plant species and over 7,400 individual plants that are situated in its lush botanical gardens.

Known as the most “unusual private club in the world,” The Magic Castle is a famous Hollywood restaurant and club for magicians, magic enthusiasts and their guests who come to enjoy magical performances and lively entertainment.